Quintus Mucius Scaevola

Quintus Mucius Scaevola, also called Augur (died 88 bc), prominent Roman jurist. He was the cousin of Quintus Mucius Scaevola Pontifex, who founded the scientific study of Roman law.

Instructed in law by his father and in philosophy by the stoicPanaetius of Rhodes, Scaevola became governor of the province of Asia about 120. Although accused of extortion on his return to Rome, he defended himself successfully and was elected consul in 117. He developed a high regard for the powerful general Gaius Marius and voted against Sulla’s motion to declare Marius a public enemy (88). In his last years Scaevola taught law to Cicero, who became one of Rome’s greatest orators. Scaevola is one of the interlocutors in Cicero’s De oratore (“On Oratory”), De amicitia (“On Friendship”), and De republica (“On the Republic”).